By BRIAN WILLIAMSAVALANCHE-JOURNALIt's not everyday that Gwen Thompson, a Texas Tech senior majoring in geology, fields calls from Mayor Marc McDougal and state Sen. Robert Duncan.

But it's no ordinary day when you find yourself occupying the office of Tech Chancellor David Smith instead of a classroom desk.

Thompson won the "Chancellor for a Day" drawing as part of a fund-raiser for the Tech Forum Chapter of the Mortar Board National College Senior Honor Society. She set up in Smith's office Thursday and, in turn, Smith headed back to the classroom, parked in student lots and rode a commuter bus.

She bought the raffle ticket just for fun, but she said she thought it would interesting to be in Smith's shoes for a day.

"As students, we always wonder where our money's going," Thompson said. "There's a great interest in the student development, the growth of Texas Tech ... money to be raised for students at Texas Tech, the funding from the state."

"I've enjoyed the experience, I've enjoyed working with all the chancellors and all the staff."

In addition to listening to growth goals for Tech, plans to ask for increased funding from the state as well as other initiatives, Thompson also visited various construction projects, including Jones SBC Stadium.

Thompson, who is scheduled to graduate in December, came to Tech in spring 2000 deciding to continue her education after managing an athletic shoe store for 10 years in the Fort Worth area. She plans to do environmental work and possibly pursue a graduate degree.

She talked to Duncan and McDougal, and the mayor discussed ways to facilitate interaction between Tech students and the city.

She said she chose Tech because it was financially viable for her and she had a sister in Shallowater and liked the geology department.

"I found a passion for geology and decided to pursue it," said Thompson, who has an associate's degree. "I wanted a college education. My personal goal was to be educated."

Smith attended some of Thompson's geology and physics classes, but mostly students asked him about university issues.

A number of pre-med, pre-allied health and pre-nursing students asked him about Health Sciences Center, where Smith was previously president.